Content distribution system and method

Abstract

A content distribution system is described. The content distribution system includes a show account database and a plurality of credit cards stored in the show account database. The content distribution system also has a linking module associating a viewer entering the call-in number with a credit card number in the show account database. The system has a charge module that charges a credit card account corresponding to the credit card number associated with a viewer entering the call-in number. The system also has an interactive recognition system that provides a qualifying question for the viewer to answer before a call of the viewer is connected to a studio.

1. A content distribution system, comprising:
 a studio set having an area for a presenter to be located; 
 at least one camera positionable to capture a scene at the area where the presenter is to be located; 
 a transmission system connected to the camera, the transmission system having hardware required to transmit the scene captured by the camera to a plurality of remote locations, to be viewed by viewers on screens located at the remote locations, and having the capability to transmit a call-in number to the plurality of remote locations; 
 a show account database; 
 a plurality of credit card numbers stored in the show account database; 
 a call-receiving system, connected to at least one telephone network, to receive a call from at least one of the viewers entering the call-in number; 
 a linking module associating the viewer entering the call-in number with a credit card number in the show account database; 
 a charge module that charges a credit card account corresponding to the credit card number associated with the viewer entering the call-in number; and 
 a speaker, at least in proximity to the studio set, connected to the call-receiving system, to allow the call to go through to the presenter at the studio set. 
 
     
     
       2. The content distribution system of  claim 1 , wherein the transmission system is a TV broadcast system. 
     
     
       3. The content distribution system of  claim 1 , further comprising an interactive recognition system connected to the call-receiving system. 
     
     
       4. The content distribution system of  claim 3 , wherein the interactive recognition system includes a new account-creating module that:
 prompts the viewer to enter a credit card number; 
 receives the credit card number; and 
 stores the credit card number in the show account database. 
 
     
     
       5. The content distribution system of  claim 4 , further comprising a call identification system that identifies the viewer as having previously stored a credit card number in the show account database or not having previously stored a credit card number in the show account database, the interactive recognition system only prompting the viewer to enter the credit card number if the credit card number is not present in the show account database. 
     
     
       6. The content distribution system of  claim 5 , wherein the interactive recognition system prompts the viewer to enter a pin number if the credit card number is in the show account database. 
     
     
       7. The content distribution system of  claim 6 , wherein the credit card account is not charged until after the viewer enters the pin number. 
     
     
       8. The content distribution system of  claim 1 , further comprising an aggregation module, multiple charges to the credit card account being charged on a day that is delayed from a day that the viewer enters the call-in number. 
     
     
       9. The content distribution system of  claim 1 , further comprising a selection module that selects one of multiple viewers dialing the call-in number, only the call of the one viewer who is selected being transferred through to the show recording studio. 
     
     
       10. The content distribution system of  claim 3 , wherein the interactive recognition system includes a preselection module that:
 provides a qualifying question to the viewer; 
 receives a qualifying guess from the viewer; 
 compares the qualifying guess to a question model answer; and 
 either progresses the call to the studio set or ends the call based on said comparison of the qualifying guess with the question model answer. 
 
     
     
       11. A content distribution system, comprising:
 a studio set having an area for a presenter to be located; 
 at least one camera positionable to capture a scene at the area where the presenter is to be located; 
 a transmission system connected to the camera, the transmission system having hardware required to transmit the scene captured by the camera to a plurality of remote locations, to be viewed by viewers on screens located at the remote locations, and having the capability to transmit a call-in number to the plurality of remote locations; 
 a call-receiving system, connected to at least one telephone network, to receive a call from at least one of the viewers calling the call-in number; 
 an interactive recognition system that includes a preselection module that provides a qualifying question to the viewer, receives a qualifying guess from the viewer, compares the qualifying guess to a question model answer, and either progresses the call to the studio set or ends the call based on said comparison of the qualifying guess with the question model answer; and 
 a speaker, at least in proximity to the studio set, connected to the interactive recognition system, to allow the call to go through to the presenter at the studio set.